Sorts of Sports

NFL Playoff Preview: AFC Championship

AFC Championship

Baltimore Ravens @ New England Patriots

There are plenty of key story lines in this game. On one side you have the great Tom Brady. The Tom Brady that has 3 Super Bowl rings on his fingers. The Tom Brady that has the chance to surpass the legendary Joe Montana for most playoff wins and tie him for most Super Bowl rings if he wins two more games. The New England Patriots dynasty of a decade ago seems like a distant memory right now. The last few post-season images in Brady's head are David Tyree making the most miraculous catch in the history of football ending his bid for a 4th ring and two recent home playoff loses to the Ravens and Jets. With guys like Drew Brees, Aaron Rodgers, and even TIM TEBOW getting most of the publicity this season; it's clear Brady has played with a chip in his shoulder all season.

The Ravens decided to start their own story lines this week. Future Hall of Fame Safety Ed Reed went public on the radio and admitted he believed that Joe Flacco was rattled by the Texans defense and he will need to step up and make the plays against the Patriots. A few people believed it wasn't a big deal, but a veteran like Reed should know better. Considering how much flack Flacco has taken for the team's offensive problems; Reed should have not said a word. Flacco came out and admitted he was surprised by Reed's comments but they discussed it and he got over it. To me that sounds like a guy who is still thinking about it. Perhaps Reed was trying light a fire under his QB's ass, but this could have the opposite effect on a guy like Flacco. Guys like Ray Lewis and Terrell Suggs have publicly supported Flacco and point out his multiple road playoff wins. While Flacco has some impressive playoff wins under his belt, he has yet to break through and become the big-time QB the team believes he can be. Flacco will see a much easier defense this weekend in Gillette Stadium, but will he take advantage of it?

The big matchup in this game is the Patriots offense against the Ravens defense. Guys like Ray Lewis and Ed Reed are looking to solidify their already Canton-bound legacies. They must get through Tom Brady and a high powered offense if they want one more crack at a championship. The focal point of Baltimore's game plan will be to slow down and contain the super tight end combo of Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez. There is no way to stop them...you can only hope to slow them down or contain them. If one has a bad game, you can bet the other will have a good one. The versatility of Hernandez being able to run the ball, line up in the slot, as a wideout, as a fullback and of course tight end may be too much for the Ravens to cover along with the Cave Man Gronkowski roaming the field. Let's also not forget about the Slot Machine Wes Welker. He's been quiet over the last few weeks, but I have a sneaking suspicion he may have a huge game this weekend.

The key to stopping Brady has always been to hit him, collapse the pocket, and make him move off his mark. Last weekend, the Ravens registered no sack against rookie T.J. Yates. That will not suffice against Tom Brady. T-Sizzle will need to prove what Ball So Hard University is all about and have a monster game. He must disrupt Brady in the pocket and the Ravens must shut down the run.

I don't expect to see a lot of running on New England's side of the ball, but expect the Ravens to feed the beast known as Ray Rice. Everyone knows statistically, the Patriots defense have allowed the most yards all season long. This game should have Ray Rice's name all over it for the Ravens. Don't want Flacco to potentially cost you this game? Simple...feed the beast. Flacco will of course have to make some key throws, and I think he can do that against this defense. Anquan Boldin needs to be the go-to guy in this game. There is no reason New England's corners should be able to stop Boldin. Flacco also has a deep threat in Torrey Smith.

You have to give the coaching edge to Bill Belichick. He knows how to game plan to take away the opposing team's biggest threat. Belichick also wants one more crack to improve on his legacy. John Harbaugh has done a tremendous job with the Ravens and he would like nothing more to take this group of aging vets on defense back to the promised land.

Prediction: For most of the season I was saying that there would be no way New England could get to the Super Bowl with absolutely no defense. In a season where offense dominated and a post-season where defense trumped it; New England became the team that doesn't fit this weekend. The Ravens, Giants, and Niners all broke this year's trend of high powered offense and got to conference championships. As the Packers and Saints fell, Brady and the Pats still stood. It almost doesn't matter how much of a lead Tom Brady's defense spots the opponent. Brady almost always finds a way to come back and win the game. The fact that the Pats have not beaten an above .500 team this season also scared me. When the playoffs started I had the Ravens going to the Super Bowl...but they did not impress me against Houston last week. They will not beat the Patriots with that type of effort. As much as I want to see The Sup(Har)Bowl...I think the Patriots win this game in relatively easy fashion.

Pick: Patriots 34, Ravens 17